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Extricate: meaning, definitions and examples

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extricate

 

[ ΛˆΙ›kstrΙͺˌkeΙͺt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

emergency situation

To extricate means to free someone or something from a constraint or difficulty. It often refers to removing something that is stuck or trapped, but it can also imply freeing someone from a complicated situation. The term can be used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as extricating oneself from an embarrassing social situation or disentangling an object caught in machinery.

Synonyms

disentangle, extract, free, remove

Examples of usage

  • The fire department worked quickly to extricate the driver from the wrecked car.
  • She struggled to extricate herself from the complicated emotional situation.
  • We need to extricate the fish caught in the net before they suffocate.
  • He managed to extricate his hand from the tight grip of the vice.

Etymology

The word 'extricate' has its origins in the Latin 'extricari', which means 'to disentangle'. This Latin term is composed of 'ex-', meaning 'out', and 'tricari', which refers to dealing with something complicated or entangled. The transition into English occurred in the early 19th century, reflecting the need for a term to describe removing something from a complex situation. While it originally applied more to physical entrapments, its use has expanded metaphorically to cover various scenarios where one finds oneself stuck or in a predicament.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,773, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.